The hypnotic first notes of the ’72 jazz-funk blowout “Soul Makosa” are a snare drum & high hat kicking off a bass line that forces feet to tap. And then Manu Dibango’s deep bass voice takes over with the words followed by his silky saxophone blowing your socks off. This track has been in my music collection for over 40 years and I can only thank All India Radio for bringing it to me. Blew me away then. Blows me away now, especially when you here it on a really good hi-fi. Soul Makossa is a brilliant piece of music by one of the most brilliant of African Jazz’s giants. Manu Dibango’s voice and sax are so pure, so joyous… somehow the first strains of it make my shoulders takea life of their own, weaving, bobbing…smiling (if shoulders could smile…). About 12 months ago when I visited Dakar, I saw posters  (in French) of his concert. Got super excited and told my team I wanted to extend my trip to see the concert. Unfortunately, I had missed his concert by 24 hours, to my eternal regret. My team were amazed that I knew who he was, and that I had heard his music as a teenager!

Manu Dibango was Cameroonian and is revered across the continent. A brilliant, innovative saxophonist, he also played the keyboards while being an amazing composer. His music touches ancient memories and our body just seems to react to something buried deep in the soul. Watch the children dancing in the second video and you’ll know exactly what I mean. Soul Makossa (meaning “I Will Dance” in the Douala dialect of Cameroon) has been sampled by the likes of Michael Jackson (Wanna Be Startin’ Something), Kanye West, Will Smith (Getting’ Jiggy With It), Jay-Z, J’Lo, Beyonce, KC & The Sunshine Band and many, many more.

Sadly, Manu Dibango passed away recently on 24th March from Covid-19.